Walls that Whisper: WONDERWALL STUDIOS’ Timeless Wood Paneling

Creating something new does not always mean starting from scratch.

Sometimes the most innovative design is born from materials that have already lived a rich life. Wonderwall Studios is a perfect example of this philosophy. Specialising in distinctive interior wood panelling crafted entirely from salvaged materials, the company not only creates interiors with soul but also gives fallen or discarded trees a second chance — fulfilling an ecological mission of upcycling on a truly global scale.

The brand has “natural” running through its veins — from its beginnings to its growth, its journey feels almost organic.

Founder Jan Swinkels once worked in finance but realised that spreadsheets and boardrooms were not where his spirit thrived. Seeking something more adventurous and meaningful, he set out to travel the world with his wife, Aanyong Yeh.

Their first venture, Doing Goods, revolved around sourcing and reselling vintage treasures — from furniture and homeware to quirky design finds across Asia. But during their travels, the couple stumbled upon something that could not simply be packed into a suitcase and shipped home: abandoned hardwood floors, lying forgotten inside crumbling buildings.

In Indonesia, they discovered a treasure trove of neglected wood — dense, resilient, and naturally beautiful. To them, it seemed wasteful, even tragic, to let such material decay — these floors had centuries left to give. Working with local craftsmen in Java, the couple began to repurpose the wood, giving it a new life as bold wall panels. From those early days in an attic office, Wonderwall Studios took shape, eventually expanding into an international company known for sourcing, rescuing, and reimagining wood from around the world.

At the heart of Wonderwall Studios’ mission is a simple principle: no fallen tree should go to waste. That “no” truly means no. From old railway sleepers and worn-out furniture to bog oak preserved underwater for millennia, the company embraces the challenge of rescuing materials that others overlook.

The result? Panelling with history, texture, and personality — each piece whispering its own story.

What makes Wonderwall Studios’ process especially compelling is its transparency. The company does not just tell you their wood is reclaimed — they invite you into the story of each type of timber, sharing exactly how it was found and preserved. Take olive wood, for instance. Protected by law, olive trees can rarely be cut down, as they remain valuable for fruit production well into their ancient years. This means sustainably sourced olive wood is exceptionally rare, often appearing only once a century. Yet Wonderwall Studios found a clever solution: using pruned branches, which naturally fall during regular maintenance. The resulting panels are unlike anything else — warm, creamy, and marked with soft brown patterns, each piece reflecting the unique care of the gardener who tended that tree.

Another extraordinary material in their collection is bog oak, sourced from Central Europe, particularly Ukraine. This is not just wood — it is history. Preserved beneath riverbeds for thousands of years, bog oak is mineralised over time, giving it a deep, almost chocolate-like tone. The process of rescuing it is monumental: permissions, heavy machinery, careful drying. Yet, when finished, it holds an unparalleled depth — an ancient energy locked into its grain, polished and revived for modern interiors.

Since its founding in 2010, Wonderwall Studios has grown exponentially, but one principle has never wavered: local craftsmanship. From the first team of Javanese
carpenters working on salvaged flooring to today’s global operations, the company always collaborates with local artisans to process wood from their own regions. This keeps knowledge and value rooted in local economies and ensures authenticity. In other words: although their products travel the world, their ethos remains proudly local.

In an age of mass globalisation, Wonderwall Studios offers a refreshing model: “crafted locally, rocked globally”.

By working with local teams, they reduce unnecessary shipping of raw materials — after all, it is far easier (and greener) to transport panels than massive felled trees. The result is a company that balances scale with responsibility, proving that sustainability need not run counter to style.

Of course, even the most admirable mission has its compromises. For Wonderwall Studios, it is American Walnut. Unlike their other woods, which are sourced locally, walnut comes from Vietnam, where off-cuts from United States timber are imported. These scraps, rejected by mainstream manufacturers, find new value under Wonderwall Studios’ care. The walnut’s delicate pinkish hue has made it one of their most cherished lines. For now, this remains their only raw material imported across continents — but expansion into the Americas remains on the horizon.

So where do these reimagined materials find their home? Everywhere. While Wonderwall Studios’ creative wood panelling is beloved by technology companies seeking to warm up sleek, futuristic offices, their designs are equally at home in residential, retail, and hospitality spaces. Their Ludlow collection, for instance, adorns the interiors of The Sly Hotel in Berlin, while Railings Bog Oak panels create a dramatic setting inside Noble Restaurant in Paris. Increasingly, hotels and restaurants are turning to Wonderwall Studios to add warmth, tactility, and storytelling to their spaces. After all, when interiors are competing to feel both memorable and meaningful, reclaimed wood speaks volumes.

And for private homes? Imagine a dining room wall clad in oak that has lain dormant beneath a river for centuries, or a living space wrapped in olive wood pruned from ancient groves. It is not just panelling — it is a conversation starter, a piece of history you live alongside every day.

In a world where “sustainable design” too often feels like a buzzword, Wonderwall Studios proves that it can be a lifestyle — and a beautiful one at that. Their work demonstrates that ecological responsibility does not need to come at the cost of aesthetics; in fact, it can enhance it. Each panel carries within it a story — of forgotten buildings, pruned orchards, riverbeds, or artisans’ hands — and when installed in a space, that story becomes part of your own.

That is the true charm: Wonderwall Studios does not just design for interiors. They design for the soul.

The ARCHIDECO team invites you to visit the Archideco Designer's Library and, while enjoying a cup of excellent coffee, familiarize yourself with examples of Wonderwall Studios.

Book your visit here.